The commute today was a lot nicer then mondays, but I figure that was mainly due to the fact I was running late, so it wasn't quite as cold.

I'm telling myself I'm going to keep commuting right through winter, but It's going to be a struggle, just gotta keep myself in the habit for now, I've got a good polarfleece vest I haven't needed to use yet, but i'm getting close, think a set of arm warmers need to be on the shopping list as well.

Just got back in from a 38km spin around the Regatta Center. Carol found it a little tough with the headwind but she pushed on, a PB of 30km with headwind, she is doing it easier each time so I know its working

Scooted around with a couple of guys for a few laps but then they didn't want to play too much so I sat at a steady pace and made it home in time for my next conference call

Brilliant riding weather today as has already been said. M5'd it again 41kms to the tunnel and back. Started at 8.45am back at 10 then off to work. Managed to keep the average speed around 32kms.
I have a day off tomorrow so will be out around the same time in the morning. Will M5 it again but towards Campbelltown this time. Need to get a new tube for the GT so will call into the Pushbike Factory and grab a couple of them.
Predicting the same tomorrow, weather wise, that we had today.
Excellent .

my direct commute is quakers hill to casrtle hill, only about 9km. I have many different loops though using the many cyclepaths and bicyle lanes in the area. I have a favourite commute which uses the m7 cycleway and along windsor rd around rouse hill/kellyille which is between 35 and 40km long. I have a shorter route of about 15-20km and a few of around 25-30km. I also make use of the M2 and head into Parra park for some group riding action if i feel like it. I dont have to be to work till 8.30am so if i leave home between 6 and 6.30 i have plenty of time to play with.
Tomorrow i plan to ride the m7 then m2 to pennant hills rd, down nth rocks rd to nth parra and then onto parra park for some loops, then back down windsor rd to castle hill. WIll give me 50-60km depending on the amount of loops i do at parra park (if i latch onto a group then speed will be higher so more loops). But basically i dont have a set commute, i leave home when i feel like it and adjust my commute to fill in the time.

yeah, its pretty good, i can ride 150km and have my own lane the whole way. Very good out here, all the new roads have a dedicated cyclelane.
Windsor rd is good, i can ride norwest to windsor on dedicated cyclelane- 25km each way (on the rd plus there is also a fotpath style cyclelane also), then there is the M7 (cyclepath or shoulder) and M2, plenty of options.

Magnificent day out there. Headed off to Campbelltown at about 9.10, had the arm warmers on but could of done without them. Bit of a head wind heading south down the Highway/Freeway.
Stopped off at the Push Bike Factory and bought a new helmet, front light for the road bike and 3 tubes for the Mountain Bike. Also ordered a Merida Jersey. Averaged only 26kms on the way out.
Tail wind on the way back and went much much faster. Ended up doing 50kms all up at an average speed of 30.03kms .
Also achieved a new top speed on the bike of 63kms just after the Narellan Rd entrance heading towards Liverpool.
Very enjoyable,

Steve, well done mate, really nice ride and spending money on "Bike Candy" The day has just gotten away from me, had to take Laptop to Prospect to get repaired, had lunch and coffee with wife and now its 3:00pm. its really nice and warm outside but I'm jsut too unmotivated to put the Jersey on, feel like its time for a darn nap !

Kev my actual commute is Casula to Campbelltown but have dogged it a bit the last week. Earlier starts and not wanting to ride the freeway in the dark mean I have been Training it.
Have ridden the M5 everyday after work though. Most times heading towards town and turning around at the start of the tunnel.
Do you have saddle bags on your bike Kev. I saw a cyclist getting onto the M5 at Bexley Rd heading south west yesterday afternoon looking like he was commuting to or from work.
You're right about that tail wind on the way back, was beaut. Riding into it on the outward leg I thought it was going to be a slow ride. But flew on the way home thanks to the TW for my quickest time on that route.

Just rereading your post Kev, it couldn't have been you as you've been off the bike for a week .

My commute times are pretty out of the mainstream - 0430 depart Ingleburn arrive at the tunnel at around 0520. In the afternoon I generally join the M5 at Bexely Rd between 1410 and 1500. It depends if the world ends before i get to leave work or not.

Damn 4:30am, thats some serious dedication no matter what ! I'm looking to ride with a bunch of guys on Friday that will mean a 6:00am departure and meet at 7:00am in Springwood.... I'm really not sure if I want to do this in the cold I went out and bought some skins for the upper part of the body and hopefully I can find my size tomorrow and get the lower bits. I just hate the cold....

I bought myself a skin thing (slazenger) for the chest and took it for a spin this morning. I rode to the top of the Woodford bends (light drizzle) and I must admit, its a weird thing having this under my jersey. Its quite tight fitting and I found it a little constrictive and I ended up focusing more on my breathing than my riding. While this might be a good thing, I didn't pick the right gears and found the ride more of a chore this morning that a pleasure.

Anyway, I think it might have had something to do with the Lifecycles ride yesterday too. The sprint out along Castelreagh road had me staying at peak HR for probably a little too long. We only had 3 in the break away, Jake sacrificed himself to give us the break and I kept going with Luke. We got at least 1/2km ahead of the main group when we eased off, I think I was about 1km from the coffee shop when I blew up. Haven't blown up in quite a while and I think it added to the pain of this mornings ride.. Taking mum out for a picnic, I think I'll fall asleep in the park